Employer gets jail for kicking, slapping maid

Noryanti was jailed for three months on two counts of maid abuse. The court commended the neighbour for helping the victim to lodge a police report.

SINGAPORE - A maid was so afraid her employer would keep attacking her that she climbed out of the window of a second-floor HDB flat to escape.

Indonesian Tardem, 26 - who goes by one name - had been abused four times that day and had to limp to a neighbour's unit after injuring her right foot while fleeing.

The neighbour, Madam Siti Sofiah Saiyadi, 48, took her to the Alexandra Neighbourhood Police Post to make a report.

Friday, the employer, Noryanti Abdul Rahim, 40, was jailed for three months on two counts of maid abuse. Four other charges were considered.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Benny Tan Zhi Peng said that at about 8.15am on Aug 8 last year, Noryanti reprimanded the maid for not closing the main door of her Commonwealth Drive flat.

Noryanti then poked the victim all over her head and slapped her in the face on both sides. Noryanti also hit the victim in the head and shoulder area before dragging her by her T-shirt towards the toilet.

As the maid was crying loudly, Noryanti closed the window near the toilet to prevent her cries from waking the neighbours.

After pulling the victim into the toilet, Noryanti kicked her in the left thigh and further slapped her body several times.